The seeds of innovation officially sprout at Vertical Harvest

(Jackson, Wyo.) - When you push open the door, you are blasted with warmth
and humidity, even though construction is still being completed at Vertical
Harvest.
The building, which is the first of its kind in Jackson and one of only
several in the U.S., appears to utilize every bit of space possible with
innovative growing apparatuses that rotate the plants so they each get the
optimal amount of sunlight. Vertical Harvest is its own self-contained
ecosystem. The three-story, 12,300 sq. ft. hydroponic greenhouse will grow
the same amount of food annually as a five-acre farm.
Just a few weeks ago, despite the ongoing construction inside the building,
Vertical Harvest Executive Director Penny McBride and Managing Partner Nona
Yehia were able to start the first tomato plants. Today, the second floor
is packed with growing plants and buzzing bees.
[image: Inline image 1]
*h/t Vertical Harvest*
"We have had the tomatoes planted for three weeks and they are looking
great," said McBride. "It is an exciting time for us to be in the
greenhouse."
"We are really testing right now because this whole building works as an
ecosystem -- lighting, heating and nutrients all work together," Yehia
added.
They hope to be growing at full capacity by mid-March and the grand opening
is expected in mid-May. Once fully operational, Vertical Harvest will be
open for tours, feature a living classroom for community education and sell
through a shop called Market.
"We are really excited about Market. It is going to obviously sell food
that we grow in the greenhouse, and include other local foods for Market
Days, but also feature products by local artists like Jenny Dowd and Ben
Roth," said Yehia. "It will be a cross between a museum store, a market and
a garden store."
[image: Inline image 2]
*h/t Vertical Harvest*
Vertical Harvest will employ developmentally disabled persons and provide a
truly integrated workplace.
"Our innovators will be people with developmental disabilities. That
changes so many perceptions of what this population can do and that is very
meaningful to me," said Yehia.
Generally, McBride and Yehia seem happy that their five-year endeavor is
finally coming to fruition.
"It is the dream project because it does really wrap everything together --
local food and the social mission," said McBride. "I have always been a
firm believer in a business being able to support the community in so many
ways."
"We are so grateful for the community support, along with their patience
throughout this whole process," said Yehia.
*Feature Photo: (Left to Right) Nona Yehia and Penny McBride. Pitchengine
Communities.*
#buckrail #news

The seeds of innovation officially sprout at Vertical Harvest

(Jackson, Wyo.) - When you push open the door, you are blasted with warmth
and humidity, even though construction is still being completed at Vertical
Harvest.
The building, which is the first of its kind in Jackson and one of only
several in the U.S., appears to utilize every bit of space possible with
innovative growing apparatuses that rotate the plants so they each get the
optimal amount of sunlight. Vertical Harvest is its own self-contained
ecosystem. The three-story, 12,300 sq. ft. hydroponic greenhouse will grow
the same amount of food annually as a five-acre farm.
Just a few weeks ago, despite the ongoing construction inside the building,
Vertical Harvest Executive Director Penny McBride and Managing Partner Nona
Yehia were able to start the first tomato plants. Today, the second floor
is packed with growing plants and buzzing bees.
[image: Inline image 1]
*h/t Vertical Harvest*
"We have had the tomatoes planted for three weeks and they are looking
great," said McBride. "It is an exciting time for us to be in the
greenhouse."
"We are really testing right now because this whole building works as an
ecosystem -- lighting, heating and nutrients all work together," Yehia
added.
They hope to be growing at full capacity by mid-March and the grand opening
is expected in mid-May. Once fully operational, Vertical Harvest will be
open for tours, feature a living classroom for community education and sell
through a shop called Market.
"We are really excited about Market. It is going to obviously sell food
that we grow in the greenhouse, and include other local foods for Market
Days, but also feature products by local artists like Jenny Dowd and Ben
Roth," said Yehia. "It will be a cross between a museum store, a market and
a garden store."
[image: Inline image 2]
*h/t Vertical Harvest*
Vertical Harvest will employ developmentally disabled persons and provide a
truly integrated workplace.
"Our innovators will be people with developmental disabilities. That
changes so many perceptions of what this population can do and that is very
meaningful to me," said Yehia.
Generally, McBride and Yehia seem happy that their five-year endeavor is
finally coming to fruition.
"It is the dream project because it does really wrap everything together --
local food and the social mission," said McBride. "I have always been a
firm believer in a business being able to support the community in so many
ways."
"We are so grateful for the community support, along with their patience
throughout this whole process," said Yehia.
*Feature Photo: (Left to Right) Nona Yehia and Penny McBride. Pitchengine
Communities.*
#buckrail #news